Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has reiterated his decision to “Mankad” Jos Buttler during the 2019 IPL, stating that his action was driven by a desire to win. In a crucial moment, Ashwin ran Buttler out by removing the bails at the non-striker’s end, leading to a turning point in the match that helped Punjab secure a 14-run victory. Ashwin defended his move, emphasizing that he did it to win and felt no shame in his actions.
Ashwin recalled a similar incident during a match against Mumbai where he instructed the bowler to run out the non-striker, highlighting the criticism he faced for such tactics. He expressed that the focus should be on playing within the rules rather than public perception, asserting that such dismissals are legitimate and should not be shunned due to societal pressure.
The former Punjab captain addressed the controversy surrounding “Mankading,” stressing that it is a bowler’s decision and should not be clouded by external opinions. Ashwin encouraged other bowlers to consider such dismissals without fear of backlash, emphasizing the importance of playing within the laws of the game. He retired from the IPL in August 2025 after a successful career, finishing as one of the top wicket-takers in the tournament.
